Theme 1  Maternity and Child Health

The start of the human journey, through childhood to adolescence, is a critical period for future physical and mental health. Parents are partners in their children’s health and the NHS is committed to high quality, safe and accessible maternity and children’s services as well as addressing unhealthy family lifestyles. At the heart of our geographical ‘footprint’, the Birmingham area has Europe’s highest birthrate and has recorded infant mortality rates significantly above the average for England. To improve care we will look at service change in a number of areas including:

Emergency care for pregnant women

The impact of increasingly shorter hospital stays for new mothers, babies and healthcare professionals

The development of an electronic paediatric prescribing system specifically for healthcare professionals caring for children

Improving communication between doctors, nurses and families with children and young people with life limiting illness

Public health and health promotion initiatives based at a children’s hospital.